Spouse's Income and the Social Security Earnings Limit

Does my spouse' s income affect the earnings limit for my Social Security benefits

No. Even if you file taxes jointly, Social Security does not count both spouses’ incomes against one spouse’s . It’s only interested in how much you make from work while receiving benefits. In other words, if your income exceeds the cap on yearly earnings — which in 2022 is $19,560 for people who claim benefits before — Social Security will from your retirement payments. (Full retirement age is 66 and 4 months for people born in 1956 and will gradually rise to 67 over the next few years.) Regardless of how much your spouse earns, it will not affect how much is held back from your benefit. Your spouse’s income only affects you if your spouse has and you are collecting on their work record. In this case, your spouse’s earnings could trigger withholding from both their retirement payment and your spousal benefits.

Keep in mind

One more wrinkle: If you are receiving spousal benefits, are below full retirement age and are working, your own work income is subject to the earnings limit and could reduce your payment. Once you reach full retirement age, the . Social Security will not withhold any money from any type of benefit regardless of how much you earn from work. Updated March 9, 2022

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